Combination high pressure venturi and spray forming nozzle

ABSTRACT

A combination venturi and spray nozzle for drawing a liquid cleanser into a high pressure water flow and then forming the combined flow of water and aspirated cleanser into a spray pattern for use in a cleansing operation.

C United States Patent 1 3,716,194 Miller v 1 Feb. 13, 1973 [54]COMBINATION HIGH PRESSURE 2,388,445 11 1945 Stewart .239/434 VENTURI ANDSPRAY FORNHNG 956,101 4/1910 Inglis ..239/3l8 X NOZZLE 1,975,067 9/1934Colclasure ..239/434 3,037,708 6/1962 Schneider et al ..239/3l8Inventor: CarlA-Miller,St- L 3,122,325 2/1964 Mahrt etal ..239/318 I V 7WW 3,186,643 6/1965 George etal..... ..239/318 [73] Assignee: EconomicsLaboratory, Inc., St. 3,204,875 9/1965 Langstroth ..239/318 Paul,Minn.Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King [22] Filled: Sept 1970 Attorney-Merchant& Gould [21] Appl.No.: 72,621

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..239/3l8 A combination venturi and spraynozzle for drawing a [51] Int. Cl. ..B05b 7/30 liquid cleanser into ahigh pressure water flow and [58] Field of Search ..239/3l8, 434, 307then forming the combined flow of water and aspirated cleanser into aspray pattern for use in a [56] References Cited cleansing operation.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 3,333,601 8/1967Lofgreen ..'.239/3l8X 2,724,583 11/1955 Targosh et al. ..239/3l8XCOMBINATION HIGH PRESSURE VENTURI AND SPRAY FORMING NOZZLE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for providingthe combined function of an aspirator and spray nozzle.

Quite commonly, a fluid product is added to a carrier fluid by utilizinga venturi aspirator positioned in the carrier fluid flow to draw theproduct from a remote storage point and inject it into the carrier. Forexample, a venturi aspirator is frequently used to inject a cleansersuch as a liquid detergent into a flow of water, the combined flow ofdetergent and water being used for some particular cleansing operation.

In the prior art, the venturi aspirator has been placed in the carrierfluid flow in one of two positions. In one arrangement, the venturi ispositioned between a sprayforming nozzle and the carrier fluid pumpingmeans (i.e. downstream from the pump). Alternatively, the venturi ispositioned upstream from the pumping means between the pump and a sourceof the carrier fluid. Utilization of a venturi aspirator in either oneof these two positions is generally disadvantageous for several reasons.For example, when positioned downstream from the pumping means, a firstpressure drop occurs upon passage of the carrier fluid through therestrictive throat of the venturi and a second pressure drop occurs uponpassage of the combined fluid carrier and aspirated product through therestrictive spray nozzle. While such double pressure drops are presentlytolerated, in high pressure cleansing systems they are extremelyundesirable. Whereas positioning the venturi aspirator upstream fromthepumping means eliminates this doublepressure drop, when sopositioned, the aspirated product must flow through the pumping means.This is entirely unsatisfactory when the fluid product is, for example,a caustic material which will damage the pump on flowing therethrough.Consequently, it is desirable to (l) eliminate the double pressure dropand (2) position the venturi aspirator downstream from the pumpingmeans. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a body includingfirst and second inlets therein suitable for connecting to a source ofcarrier fluid and product fluid, respectively. An aspirator preferablyinthe form of a venturi is positioned within the body and is connectedto the first and second inlets. The aspirator is designed so as toaspirate the fluid I product upon passage of the carrier fluidtherethrough and to provide a spray pattern to the combined carrierfluid and aspirated product exhausted from a non-restrictive outlet inthe body. This eliminates the necessity for aseparate spray formingnozzle and, consequently, eliminates the second pressure drop occurringinthe-presently available apparatus of the type having the venturi-typeaspirator positioned downstream from the pumping means.

, Deflector means can be addedto the aspirator to v further shape thespray pattern. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus is formed bythree separate members. In this embodiment, one of the three membersdefines a venturi-type aspirator which is removable so as to allowinterchangement thereof for modify ing the spray pattern withoutnecessitating substitution of the entire apparatus.

Utilizing the present invention, a fluid product (e.g. a liquiddetergent) can be added to a carrier fluid (e.g. water) downstream fromthe carrier pumping means without the occurrence of a double pressuredrop as is the case in the prior art apparatus. This, of course, ishighly advantageous in high pressure applications where it is desirableto maximize the pressure of the exhausted carrier fluid and aspiratedproduct. As another advantageous feature, in one preferred embodimentthe spray pattern formed by the venturi can be readily altered byinterchanging a venturi-defining member. Further, the basic principle ofthe present invention does not necessitate a complex design, but rathercan be readily manufactured without undue expense. Other advantagesarising from utilization of the present invention will become apparentfrom the detailed description hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding ofthe present invention reference should be had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the deflector means used in conjunctionwith the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the deflector shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment havinga removable venturi-defining-member; and

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.4 illustrating the spray pattern provided thereby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to thedrawings wherein like numerals represent like parts of the inventionthroughout the various figures, a body defining an aspirator-nozzlecombination provided by the present invention is generally designated bythe numeral 10. In FIG. I, an embodiment is illustrated in which theapparatusis an integral unit. In this particular embodiment, apassageway defining a fluid product injector in the form of aventuri-type aspirator ll (hereinafter referred to as venturi 11)extends longitudinally through body 10. An internally threaded inletopening 12 is provided for receiving a conduit (not shown) connected toa source of a carrier fluid and high pressure pump means so as toprovide a pressurized flow of carrier fluid through venturi 11. Theventuri I1 operably communicates with an internally threaded productinlet'opening 14 which receives a conduit (not shown) connected to asource of fluid product. A screw 15 threadedly engages body 10 so as toclose off a transversely bored conduit 16 connecting inlet 14 andventuri II. If properly seated, screw 15 could take the form of a needlevalve for regulating the rate of flow of product through conduit 16 andthe injection thereof into the carrier fluid flow. An outlet opening 18is in communication with venturi 11 for allowing free or non-restrictedflow of the combined carrier fluid and fluid product therethrough aswill be subsequently described.

A deflecting means 20 is attached to body so as to project into outletopening 18 and the diverging recovery passageway 21 of venturi 11downstream from the throat of the venturi. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,deflecting means projects angularly into recovery passageway 21 and isin the form of a generally planar plate having a V-shaped curve 20aalong the outer edge of the deflecting surface. As will be subsequentlyexplained, deflector 20 is utilized to alter the shape of the spraypattern provided by the venturi 11 without causing a pressure drop in sodoing. The design of deflector 20 is, of course, determined by the spraypattern desired. Further, the deflector 20 is preferably readilyremovable from its attached position within venturi 11 so as to allowinterchangement of deflectors having different deflecting designsthereby permitting convenient modification of the spray pattern. Itshould be understood, however, that utilization of deflector 20 isunnecessary for the operation of the present invention. Rather, thepresent invention can be operated without deflector 20 simply by usingthe diverging recovery passageway 21 of venturi 11 to form the spraypattern. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the divergingpassageway 21 will form a conical spray pattern. Further, deflector 20does not necessarily have to be mounted within recovery passageway 21.Rather, it can be mounted external to body 10.

Whereas the present invention has numerous applications, one highlydesirable application is in a high pressure cleansing system. Whenutilized in such a system, inlet opening 12 is connected to a highpressure pump for providing a steady flow of high pressure water throughventuri l1 and product inlet opening 14 is connected to a source of acleansing product such as a liquid detergent. In operation, the flow ofhigh pressure water is initiated by the actuation of the high pressurepump or by opening a conventional valving means positioned in theconduit connecting the pump and inlet opening 12. Upon flow of waterthrough venturi 11, the increased velocity of the water flow throughtheventuri throat generates a partial vacuum creating an aspiratingeffect causing the liquid detergent to be drawn through inlet 14 andinjected into the water flow. The combined flow of water and aspiratedliquid detergent is then formed into a jet of finely divided liquid orspray by recovery passageway 21 of venturi 11 and deflector 20positioned within the recovery passageway 21 and outlet 18. The spray isfreely exhausted (i.e. in a nonrestrictive manner) from body 10 throughoutlet 18 and is utilized for the desired cleansing operation. Whereasthe recovery passageway alone would provide a conically-shaped spraypattern, this pattern is modified by deflector 20 so as to provide athin, slightly accruate spray pattern (not shown) to the combined flowexhausted freely through non-restrictive outlet 18. Such a spray patternhas been found highly desirable for cleansing purposes.

While some energy loss occurs as the combined flow of water andaspirated detergent impinges upon deflector 20 and is deflected thereby,this energy loss is substantially less than normally occurs upon passageof a flow of high pressure fluid through the orifice of a conventionalspray nozzle. In effect, deflector 20 does not constitute an orifice,but rather means for simply changing the direction of the flow of waterand aspirated product. Consequently, the only substantial energy loss inthe cleansing system occurs upon passage of the water flow through thethroat of the venturi.

An alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In thisembodiment, the combined function of an aspirator-spray forming nozzleis provided by three separate members which are assembled to formunitary body 10. First and second members 30 and 31, each have agenerally planar surface 32 and 33, respectively, positioned in a spacedparallel relationship to one another. A planar third element 34 ispositioned between the surfaces 32 and 33 contiguous therewith. Asillustrated, third member 34 has an opening 35 extending verticallytherethrough normal to the planar surfaces 32 and 33. The opening 35extends horizontally from an edge of member 34 inwardly toward theoppositely disposed edge in a manner so as to define vertical sidewalls36 of a venturi-type aspirator.

When assembled using conventional fastening means such as screws 40 and41 extending through overlying openings in members 31 and 34 andthreadedly engaging member 30, the sidewalls 36 of venturi-shapedopening 35 define the side surfaces and the oppositely disposed planarsurfaces 32 and 33 define the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, ofa venturi-type aspirator (hereinafter referred to as a venturi) having arelatively flat transverse cross-section. A fluid carrier inlet opening44 in member 30 is connected to the venturi by a passageway having ahorizontally extending portion 45 and a vertically upward extendingportion 46 in communication with a passageway or opening 48 in member 34having a restrictive portion 49 defining the throat of the venturi. Afluid product inlet opening 50 in second member 32 is connected to theventuri aspirator at the throat thereof through a passageway in member31 having a horizontally extending portion and a vertically downwardextending portion 56 communicating with an opening or passageway 58 inmember 34. As illustrated, passageway 58 is in communication with thethroat of the venturi. A fluid outlet 60 in body 10 is defined by thespaced relationship between members 30 and 31 and the front edge ofmember 34 having the venturi-shaped opening 35 extending inwardlytherefrom.

The principle of operation of the alternate embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 is identical to that previously described in conjunctionwith the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 3. Briefly, a carrier fluidsuch as water is caused to flow through the venturi defined by thefirst, second and third members 30, 31 and 32, respectively, causingaspiration of a fluid product such as a liquid detergent introduced intothe venturi through inlet opening 50 and passageways 55, 56 and 58resulting in injection of the detergent into the water flow. Thecombined flow of water and injected liquid detergent is then formed intoa spray by the flat, diverging recovery passageway of the venturiaspirator. In this embodiment, the spray emerging from outlet 60 has agenerally flat triangular pattern as shown impinging surface in FIG. 4,the apex of the triangular-shaped spray pattern originating at thethroat of the venturi. It should be understood, however,

by substituting for third member 34 an alternative third member having adifferently designed venturi-shaped opening 35. Thus, the spray patterncan be readily modified as necessitated by different cleansingconditions, without necessitating an interchangement of the entireventuri-nozzle arrangement. This, of course is a time-saving feature andconsiderably reduces overall expense.

The venturi-nozzle arrangement provided by the present invention can bemanufactured from numerous materials. For example, the apparatus can bemanufactured from a metal such as brass or stainless steel and thevarious openings, passageways and the venturi machined therein.Alternatively, the apparatus can be formed from a plastic materialwherein the venturi is simply molded therein. Preferably, the plasticmaterial utilized has a high chemical resistanceso as to preventdeterioration thereof upon the passage of caustic chemicalstherethrough. For example, glass filled polypropolyene can be utilized.

Twopreferred embodiments of my inventive apparatus have been describedherein. Since modifications not departing from the inventive concept mayoccur. to those skilled in the art, I intend not to be bound by thedetailed description hereinabove, but only by the scope and spirit ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising:

a. a body defining a fluid passageway therethrough and including firstand second members each having at least one generally planar surface anda third member having a generally planar shape positioned in a fixedremoveable relationship between said planar surfaces contiguoustherewith; said third member having a recess therein extending generallylongitudinally from one edge thereof inwardly in the shape of a venturi;

b. first inlet means in said body suitable for introducing a flow ofpressurized carrier fluid into said fluid p s w y;

c. venturi-aspirator means interchangeably positioned. within saidfluidpassageway and at least partially defined by said venturi-shaped recessin said third body member;

d. second inlet meansin said body communicating with the throat of saidventuri-aspirator and connectable to a source of fluid product forinjecting said product into said carrier fluid upon passage of saidcarrier fluid through said venturi-aspirator;

, e. outlet means positioned in said fluid passageway f. saidventuri-aspirator means provides a spray pattern to the fluid freelyexhausted through said outlet means with the occurrence of a singlefluid pressure drop.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said venturi-shaped recess in said third body member defines anopening therein extending therethrough normal to said planar surfaces ofsaid first and second members; and

b. said venturi-aspirator means is defined by said venturi-shaped recessand said planar surfaces of said first and second members contiguoussaid third member.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein:

a. said carrier fluid inlet opening is positioned in one of said firstand second members;

b. said product inlet opening is positioned in the other of said firstand second members; and

c. said outlet opening is defined by said venturishaped opening in saidthird member spatially separating said planar surfaces of said first andsecond members.

4. An aspirator-nozzle combination, comprising:

a. a body defining a fluid passageway therethrough;

b. first inlet means in said body suitable for introducing a-flow ofpressurized carrier fluid into said fluid passageway;

c. venturi-aspirator means positioned within said fluid passagewayincluding a diverging recovery passageway immediately downstream of theventuri-aspirator throat;

d. second inlet means in said body communicating with-the throat of saidventuri-aspirator and connectable to a source of fluid product forinjecting said product into said carrier fluid upon passage of saidcarrier fluid through said venturi-aspirator;

e. outlet means positioned in said fluid passageway at the downstreamend of said diverging recovery passageway and having generally the samedimensions as the downstream end of said recovery passageway for freelyexhausting therethrough the flow of combined carrier fluid and productfluid; and

f. said diverging recovery passageway of said venturiaspirator meansprovides a spray pattern to the fluid freely exhausted through saidoutlet means with the occurrence of a single fluid pressure drop.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 having in addition deflector meansremoveably fastened to said body and having a generally V-shaped curvealong the outer edge of the deflecting surface, said deflectorprojecting into the combined flow of aspirated product and pressurizedfluid within said diverging recovery passageway for shaping the spraypattern thereof.

6.-A venturi-nozzle combination, comprising:

a. first and second body members each having a generally elongatedplanar surface;

b. a generally planar third body member removably positioned betweensaid elongated planar surfaces contiguous therewith, said third memberhaving an opening therethrough nonnal to said planar surfaces andextending generally longitudinally inward from one edge thereof in theform of a venturi'whereby said venturi-shaped opening and said elongatedplanar surfaces contiguous opposite planar surfaces of said third memberdefine a spray pattern forming venturi-aspirator;

c. a first inlet opening in one of said first and second body membersconnected to said venturi-aspirator and suitable for connecting to asource of a pressurized fluid; and

d. a second inlet opening in one of said first and second body membersconnected to said venturiaspirator and suitable for connecting to afluid product source, said venturi-aspirator aspirating said fluidproduct on passage of said pressurized fluid therethrough and shapingthe flow of the combined carrier fluid and fluid product exhaustedtherefrom into a spray pattern.

1. Apparatus comprising: a. a body defining a fluid passagewaytherethrough and including first and second members each having at leastone generally planar surface and a third member having a generallyplanar shape positioned in a fixed removeable relationship between saidplanar surfaces contiguous therewith, said third member having a recesstheRein extending generally longitudinally from one edge thereofinwardly in the shape of a venturi; b. first inlet means in said bodysuitable for introducing a flow of pressurized carrier fluid into saidfluid passageway; c. venturi-aspirator means interchangeably positionedwithin said fluid passageway and at least partially defined by saidventuri-shaped recess in said third body member; d. second inlet meansin said body communicating with the throat of said venturi-aspirator andconnectable to a source of fluid product for injecting said product intosaid carrier fluid upon passage of said carrier fluid through saidventuri-aspirator; e. outlet means positioned in said fluid passagewaydownstream of said venturi-aspirator means for freely exhausting theflow of combined carrier fluid and product fluid; and f. saidventuri-aspirator means provides a spray pattern to the fluid freelyexhausted through said outlet means with the occurrence of a singlefluid pressure drop.
 1. Apparatus comprising: a. a body defining a fluidpassageway therethrough and including first and second members eachhaving at least one generally planar surface and a third member having agenerally planar shape positioned in a fixed removeable relationshipbetween said planar surfaces contiguous therewith, said third memberhaving a recess theRein extending generally longitudinally from one edgethereof inwardly in the shape of a venturi; b. first inlet means in saidbody suitable for introducing a flow of pressurized carrier fluid intosaid fluid passageway; c. venturi-aspirator means interchangeablypositioned within said fluid passageway and at least partially definedby said venturi-shaped recess in said third body member; d. second inletmeans in said body communicating with the throat of saidventuri-aspirator and connectable to a source of fluid product forinjecting said product into said carrier fluid upon passage of saidcarrier fluid through said venturi-aspirator; e. outlet means positionedin said fluid passageway downstream of said venturi-aspirator means forfreely exhausting the flow of combined carrier fluid and product fluid;and f. said venturi-aspirator means provides a spray pattern to thefluid freely exhausted through said outlet means with the occurrence ofa single fluid pressure drop.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1,wherein: a. said venturi-shaped recess in said third body member definesan opening therein extending therethrough normal to said planar surfacesof said first and second members; and b. said venturi-aspirator means isdefined by said venturi-shaped recess and said planar surfaces of saidfirst and second members contiguous said third member.
 3. The apparatusdefined in claim 2, wherein: a. said carrier fluid inlet opening ispositioned in one of said first and second members; b. said productinlet opening is positioned in the other of said first and secondmembers; and c. said outlet opening is defined by said venturi-shapedopening in said third member spatially separating said planar surfacesof said first and second members.
 4. An aspirator-nozzle combination,comprising: a. a body defining a fluid passageway therethrough; b. firstinlet means in said body suitable for introducing a flow of pressurizedcarrier fluid into said fluid passageway; c. venturi-aspirator meanspositioned within said fluid passageway including a diverging recoverypassageway immediately downstream of the venturi-aspirator throat; d.second inlet means in said body communicating with the throat of saidventuri-aspirator and connectable to a source of fluid product forinjecting said product into said carrier fluid upon passage of saidcarrier fluid through said venturi-aspirator; e. outlet means positionedin said fluid passageway at the downstream end of said divergingrecovery passageway and having generally the same dimensions as thedownstream end of said recovery passageway for freely exhaustingtherethrough the flow of combined carrier fluid and product fluid; andf. said diverging recovery passageway of said venturi-aspirator meansprovides a spray pattern to the fluid freely exhausted through saidoutlet means with the occurrence of a single fluid pressure drop.
 5. Theapparatus defined in claim 4 having in addition deflector meansremoveably fastened to said body and having a generally V-shaped curvealong the outer edge of the deflecting surface, said deflectorprojecting into the combined flow of aspirated product and pressurizedfluid within said diverging recovery passageway for shaping the spraypattern thereof.